A nature escape in the city

GRINNELL -Arbor Lake Park is a patch of nature not far from the main streets of Grinnell.

Located on the western part of town, the park features a 14-acre lake, a trail surrounding it, fishing and canoeing areas and a picnic shelter.

Emily Counts, communications director with the Grinnell Chamber of Commerce, said Arbor Lake is a popular park in town.

“Its a very beautiful place,” Counts said. “It’s right in town but doesn’t feel like it when you’re there. It’s really a gem that is hidden.”

The park itself totals 80 acres and includes wooded areas, creeks and playground equipment. The walking trail around the lake is nearly a mile, though the western portion was under construction recently. The trail also connects to other portions of Grinnell.

“People love the trail and they do a lot of fishing there,” Counts said.

The shelter house underwent a $30,000 renovation in the past two years, said Kelly Johnson Rose, director of Grinnell Parks and Recreation.

“The shelter sits up nice and high and people come and enjoy the view,” she said.